1950 Bentley Mark VI Sports Saloon

The Bentley Mark VI made its debut in 1946 and was the first postwar Bentley automobile of Rolls-Royce design. It represented a complete break from the old designs as it was designed and built as a complete car with standardized pressed-steel coachwork. The bodies were built by The Pressed Steel Company of Oxford, which were reminiscent of the Park Ward-bodied Mark V of the late 1930s. Ex-Gurney Nutting Chief Designer John Blatchley applied the detail features.

Power was from a 4.3-liter F-head six-cylinder engined similar to the B60-Series engine. It had a one-piece cylinder block casting with an integral crankcase, as well as a fan belt-driven generator and water pump. The Mark VI had a four-speed gearbox and an independent front suspension.

This Mark VI is an original left-hand drive example and was delivered new by New York's J.S. Inskip to William Durant Campbell. Options original to this car include a sealed-beam headlamps and bonnet locks. The car has had three owners before coming into the car of the current owner in 2007.

Since that time, the car has been refinished in black and the tan upholstery has been restored. The brightwork has been selectively restored as required.

In 2011, the car was offered for sale in Monterey, Ca. presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $45,000-$65,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $31,900, including buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2011